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Rwanda

A - Z of places…

History

The first humans are thought to have lived in Africa and powerful African empires formed from the medieval age onwards.

However, today's African nations were shaped by the European powers who colonised this vast continent. Having gained their independence, many African countries are still coming to terms with the legacy left by their colonisers.

Geography & Wildlife

With its varied geography and diverse habits, the African continent is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. Though famous for its 'big game' animals, Africa has huge numbers of fish, mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian and insect species, as well as many tree, plant and flower species.

Rusizi (formerly Cyangugu)

In the extreme southwest of Rwanda, the lakeside town of Rusizi lies close to Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Children

Around one in six children born in sub-Saharan Africa don't live to see their fifth birthday and life can be tough for those who do.

What are the common challenges facing African children and how do their lives compare with those of children in the UK?

Huye (formerly Butare)

Huye is Rwanda’s third-largest urban centre (after Muhanga, formerly Gitarma). Home to the National Museum and the country’s largest university, the town is sometimes called the country’s ‘intellectual centre’.

Nyamata

The Nyamata Genocide Memorial lies around 40 minutes south of Kigali. The site is a church where over 5,000 people were killed during the genocide. The remains of 50,000 people lie in the basement and behind the church.

Poverty

Across the rest of the world, absolute poverty has halved over recent decades, but in Africa it has barely fallen.

About two-fifths of the population of sub-Saharan Africa survive week by week on what someone in the UK earns from just one hour's work on the minimum wage.

Foods

Africa has some of the most distinctive cuisines and flavours in the world. Food varies widely, but there are commonalities across regions. Depending on what's grown locally, dishes are also influenced by the traders, immigrants and rulers who settled across the continent. Arab, Asian and European elements blend in with traditional African cooking.

Akagera National Park

Running along the border with Tanzania, the Akagera National Park covers over 2500 square kilometres of savannah west of the Kagera River. The swamps and lakes are home to hippo and crocodiles, and provide drinking places for the park’s herds of elephants, buffalo, antelope, giraffe and zebra. Akagera also has over 500 species of birds.

Development

‘People are the real wealth of a nation.’ This is the belief of the United Nations, whose Millenium Development Goals provide a framework for improving the lives of millions.

It helps when nations are peaceful, stable and growing economically. But where even the poorest countries focus on health, education and creating fairer societies, more Africans have the chance of a better life.

Tanzania map

Explore Tanzania

Explore some interesting places in Tanzania, including the capital and four of the country’s 40 national parks and game reserves.

Volcanoes National Park

The Volcanoes National Park is located in the Virunga mountain range of the north-west. This is the place to view Rwanda’s mountain gorillas, made famous by the naturalist Dian Fossey, who wrote a best-selling account of her life and work entitled ‘Gorillas in the Mist’. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is set up in her memory and to carry on her conservation and protection work.

Agriculture & Famine

A quarter of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is undernourished and famines can impact whole regions.

Land is available to grow more food locally, but investment is needed in technologies such as irrigation for land to be used effectively. Farmers must also adapt to climate change if they are to feed the continent's rising population.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Rwanda’s natural rainforest is preserved in the Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of the largest mountainous rainforests in Africa. Its high-altitude tree canopy is home to 13 different types of primate, including chimpanzees and 400-strong troops of colobus monkeys. The golden cat, duiker and giant forest hog also live here.

Women

A woman’s status varies by country and region across Africa. In many parts, women struggle against inequality in laws, education, pay and domestic responsibilities.

Women’s health is also at risk from traditional practices such as early marriage. But with better education, girls can make more informed choices, leading to the greater development of African nations.

DR Congo Map

Explore DR Congo

Click the map points and find out more about some of the country's key towns, rivers and wildlife areas, many of which have National Park status.

Games & Sport

Africa is home to arguably the oldest-recorded games and sports. While some are only known through archaeology, modern-day games and sports such as Mancala/Mankala and Nubian wrestling are very much alive today.

Of course, new sports have come along to claim the attention of Africans. You may have heard of one - it's called football.

Rubavu (formerly Gisenyi)

This port town is the northernmost resort along Lake Kivu. A good base for travelling to the Volcanoes National Park, Rubavu also has red sandy beaches and old colonial buildings.

Karongi (formerly Kibuye)

Karongi is one of the three main lakeside resorts along Lake Kivu. Set across a series of hills, this pretty town is easy to reach along the main highway from Kigali.

Lake Kivu

Ringed by mountains, the stunning Lake Kivu sits along the floor of the Albertine/Western Rift valley. Stretching nearly 100km and with a maximum depth of 480m, the lake is sometimes called an ‘inland sea’. However, because of volcanic activity in the area and high methane levels, the water is not as rich in fish- and animal-life as other Rift lakes.

Climate

Africa is a massive continent, with a range of climates. Some regions are hot and dry, like the Sahara, Kalahari and Namib deserts. Other parts are wet or covered in tropical rainforest. Conditions also vary by altitude, from the dry salt pans of the Danakil Depression (one of the lowest points on earth) to the snowcaps (at certain times) of the highest mountains. Weather-wise, Africa has it all!

Uganda Map

Explore Uganda

Have a look and explore some of Uganda’s main attractions, cities and the country’s plentiful wildlife and national parks.

Kigali

The capital of Kigali lies at the centre of Rwanda and spans across several hills and valleys. The city prides itself in offering a clean, safe and friendly environment. Over the last few years, city officials have also been promoting the growing business quarter, with its striking modern architecture. Kigali is home to the country’s main Genocide Memorial.

Health

Africa has a high number of communicable diseases, which place a huge burden on healthcare systems. The vast majority of malaria cases and HIV/AIDS-related deaths occur in Africa; these two diseases currently represent the greatest threats.

With low investment in healthcare and a severe shortage of medical staff, many countries struggle to meet the health needs of their people.